Books with author Heather Collins

The weather forecast for the evening of October 15, 1954 was simply “rain tonight.” In fact, the hurricane was a devastating one. The storm swept from North Carolina up into Canada. In Toronto, Ontario, the official death count was 81, but it was probably much higher because the many people living in the ravines were not part of the census. Penny Doucette was 8 years old on the night the storm raged in Toronto. She, her parents, and their elderly neighbor found themselves clinging to the roof of the house as they watched the house next door float away on the swollen Humber River. Augmenting the dramatic story are illustrations, archival photographs, and fascinating information about hurricanes: their causes, their history, and lore. Published for the fiftieth anniversary of Hurricane Hazel, this is a valuable resource for young readers.

Learning to read can be hard, especially if your child is struggling with speech or attention challenges as well. Speech can have a huge impact on language acquisition. How can you spell a word you are unable to say? If you cannot spell the word, then how do you sound it out and put it together. Language is difficult, in particular for those of us teaching our children that have special needs.My kids, like many kids, LOVE robots and comics. They also are trying their best to learn to spell and read. They get frustrated and , oh boy, do they get mad! Tapping into an interest of theirs can be a big help. I'll make crosswords with their favorite characters, play games, make comic books, and many other methods to get over the frustration. As an artist, teacher, and mother I am always making and thinking up new ways to help them out. Thus: Fry the robot and his words. It's an easy reader designed for early language development. Remember to take it slow, have patience, relish small victories, set achievable goals, make it a game, use books (no matter how silly!) that interest them, give them choices, and go to the library to let them choose! Try not to set a bar too high, expect high accuracy in speech (unless that is the goal of that particular read through- one thing at a time!), make it a boring chore. Recommendations specific to this book: 1. Read it to them the first time it is introduced. 2. Ask them to read only the green words. 2. Ask them to read only the orange words. 3. Ask them to read only the purple words. 4. Have them try all three!

The weather forecast for the evening of October 15, 1954 was simply “rain tonight.” In fact, the hurricane was a devastating one. The storm swept from North Carolina up into Canada. In Toronto, Ontario, the official death count was 81, but it was probably much higher because the many people living in the ravines were not part of the census. Penny Doucette was 8 years old on the night the storm raged in Toronto. She, her parents, and their elderly neighbor found themselves clinging to the roof of the house as they watched the house next door float away on the swollen Humber River. Augmenting the dramatic story are illustrations, archival photographs, and fascinating information about hurricanes: their causes, their history, and lore. Published for the fiftieth anniversary of Hurricane Hazel, this is a valuable resource for young readers.

A curious baby wonders about the origin of sounds in the house, so that a pitter pat might be a squirrel on the roof or water dripping, and a clunk might be a dog knocking over garbage cans of Sister playing with her blocks. This popular book from the Polka Dot Door Series is designed to help the small child develop an awareness of his/her environment.

Learning to read can be hard, especially if your child is struggling with speech or attention challenges as well. Speech can have a huge impact on language acquisition. How can you spell a word you are unable to say? If you cannot spell the word, then how do you sound it out and put it together. Language is difficult, in particular for those of us teaching our children that have special needs. My kids, like many kids, LOVE robots and comics. They also are trying their best to learn to spell and read. They get frustrated and , oh boy, do they get mad! Tapping into an interest of theirs can be a big help. I'll make crosswords with their favorite characters, play games, make comic books, and many other methods to get over the frustration. As an artist, teacher, and mother I am always making and thinking up new ways to help them out. Thus: Fry the robot and his words. It's an easy reader designed for early language development. Remember to take it slow, have patience, relish small victories, set achievable goals, make it a game, use books (no matter how silly!) that interest them, give them choices, and go to the library to let them choose! Try not to set a bar too high, expect high accuracy in speech (unless that is the goal of that particular read through- one thing at a time!), make it a boring chore. Recommendations specific to this book: 1. Read it to them the first time it is introduced. 2. Ask them to read only the green words. 2. Ask them to read only the orange words. 3. Ask them to read only the purple words. 4. Have them try all three!